ATV Accident Death and Injury Statistics – Texas

While all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are certainly an exciting form of recreation, these vehicle’s designs lack stability, often causing them to roll over or tip with ease. Weighing up to 700 pounds, many riders are trapped beneath the fallen over vehicles during ATV accidents, crushing them, inuring them, and sometimes resulting in fatalities. What’s more, defective parts used during the manufacturing process have been known to result in ATV fires and explosions in the state of Texas, and therefore severe burns and death.

According to the Department of Transportation, Texas ranks amongst the states with the highest number of ATC occupant fatalities between 2004 and 2013. Furthermore, the CPSC reports that ATVs with three-, four-, and an unknown number of wheels resulted in the following statistics in Texas:

  • 698 deaths between 1982 – 2012
  • 6% - the percentage of cumulative U.S. reported deaths between 1982 – 2012
  • 82 reported deaths between 2013 – 2015
  • 780 total reported deaths, including ongoing reporting

Defects and Poor Design of ATVs

ATVs are motorized, off-highway modes of transportation, typically designed to move on four tires. The rider straddles the seat and uses the handlebars to steer the vehicle. Some ATVs are designed to handle passengers. The popularity of ATVs continues to rise, though, despite the number of deaths and injuries associated with ATV accidents in Texas and the regulation of the vehicles being weak. There are some common causes that have sparked a rise in ATV accidents in the state. For example, the operation of adult-sized all-terrain vehicles by children and young adults under the weight and size suggestions is a dangerous action that also adds to the rising injury statistics. What’s more, vehicles with defective parts pose a serious fire hazard and risk of explosion, usually leading to significant burns and even death.

ATV Laws in Texas

In the state of Texas, a number of guidelines have been established that are supposed to provide riders and passengers of these vehicles with a degree of protection from ATV accidents and injuries. For instances, ATVs have to be equipped with a muffler system that is fully functional, effective breaks, working taillights and headlights, and a qualified spark arrester.

In addition, safety gear and helmets are required for both riders and passengers. ATVs may not be driven on public highways, streets, bridges, road shoulders, or grassy areas beside roadways. Violations of these regulations are considered a Class C misdemeanor.

Rollover Protection Structures

Some ATV safety advocates have noted the importance of installing some type of roll over protection on these vehicles to prevent injuries and death. While the protection devices have not been deemed mandatory, it has been suggested that they should be.

While manufacturers claim that all-terrain vehicles are safe, the recalls tend to say otherwise. Polaris recently recalled 95,000 ATVs due to defective control panels that posed a serious fire hazard. The company received more than 370 reports of melting or smoking control panels since 2005 when it recalled 45,000 ATVs. There have since been more than 20 reports of fires.

Fire hazards and defects on all-terrain vehicles are a major source of accidents and fatalities. If a defect is a factor in your accident, retailers and manufacturers can be held liable.